January 18, 2006

R. I. P. Winchester

March 1, 2006, will be a sad day indeed for all of us "gun nuts". It will be the last day of the REAL Winchester rifle. When the Repeating Arms Co. closes it's doors on that day for the last time, it will truly be the end of an era.

The Winchester was the "rifle that won the West", and although the name may go on, a Belgian,Japanese, or Portugese product isn't the real thing. All the old style models will be discontinued, including the venerable model 94, arguably the finest rifle ever made. For those of you lucky enough to own one of these fine products of the armorers art, HOLD ON TO THEM. They are going to treble in worth in March. I had hoped to own a Model 94 one day, but with the coming price rise, that will never occur.

I liked the '94' and for what it was designed for-a saddle gun-it is great. But I prefer the side eject of the Marlin and Savage 99 over the '94'. But I do like the model 70 bolts and the model 12 and 1200 shotguns. Maybe someone somewhere will make them again someday.